Chapter 10

The physicians who had come as a group begged me to reconsider Gilbert’s usefulness.

I had already been thinking that the slightly softened mood needed some refreshing, so the timing was perfect.

“Hey.”

“Y, yes?”

They froze at the crude, disrespectful address. Nowhere near the tone I used with Gilbert.

Gripping my pry bar, I smiled with my teeth showing.

“Were you trailing behind me?”

My eyes were not smiling at all.

“The soldiers I sent to drag you in have not come back. If you were not following behind me from the start, how did you reach the outer wall this fast, hmm?”

If I counted the time, it fit perfectly.

The duchess left the inner wall, word spread, they panicked and scrambled after me, and they could have made it to the monastery just about now.

Startled by my sharp deduction, the physicians flailed.

“N, no!”

“We were just resting nearby for a moment!”

“So which crime is heavier. Disobeying my order or deceiving me with lies. Anyone know?”

“Ahem…”

No one answered, but the question alone was enough to tighten the loose air.

Still stroking the club, I continued.

“Fine. We will set that aside for the moment.”

“Whew…”

“But did you just object to my decision. You objected to the decision of someone like me, higher than the heavens, right?”

“…!”

The physicians who had begun to relax froze again.

Status was everything. And mine was no simple status.

I was supported on one side by the Lombard family and on the other by the imperial family.

Among all the noblewomen of the empire, I ranked easily within the top three.

“But I am generous.”

“What nonsense… ah, no, of course. You are generous indeed.”

Idiots.

Behind me, Baron Conte clicked his tongue with a smug look that said they still did not understand what kind of person their lady was.

Annoying, but I let it pass.

“So I will give you a fair chance. That way no one can complain.”

“Astonishing wisdom, Madam!”

The physicians brightened immediately.

I asked to be recommended the most skilled candidate. The one who stepped forward wore the finest clothes among them, which already told me his selection was not based on skill.

Judging by Gilbert’s expression, he was used to this. That familiar mix of irritation and resignation.

The look of someone who assumed I would judge by status like every other noble.

“We will have a medical duel. Whoever proves superior will become my physician.”

“What method shall we use?”

“I will give you two hours. Treat any patients you choose. Evaluation will consider everything.”

Conveniently, all the patients at the monastery clinic were trauma patients.

I could test judgment, speed, handling, and technical skill all at once.

And so, the duel began.

* * *

The two hours I had promised had passed and we were nearing three.

The physician who had already treated five patients sat with his legs crossed, proudly sipping tea.

Meanwhile, Gilbert was still treating his first patient. Beads of sweat dripped from his chin as he set a splint on the man’s thigh and secured it with bandages.

The unconscious patient looked just as worn as when he started.

“Look at me. I finished ages ago. Are you still floundering?”

“…”

“With that pathetic skill you dare compete to become Madam’s physician. Stop dragging it out and resign while you still have a shred of dignity.”

The physician taunted him, yet Gilbert did not react.

After some more time passed, Gilbert finally finished, washed his hands, and put away his tools.

Time for judgment.

“Madam, please have a look.”

The first to call me was the proud physician.

He had performed sutures on five trauma patients. His hands had been quick, his movements impressive, and his patients looked far more comfortable.

Gilbert, meanwhile, had treated only one patient. The man still had not regained consciousness.

Yet I declared without hesitation.

“The winner is Gilbert.”

“What?!”

The physicians jumped to their feet in protest.

I let out a short laugh.

“Did you think I would clap like an idiot just because you treated more patients. Did I look that gullible to you. Have I been too nice?”

“No, Madam has never been nice…”

Baron Conte muttered a quiet jab.

Ignoring him, I walked to Gilbert’s patient and lifted the blanket.

The legs that had been completely mismatched before treatment were now perfectly identical in length.

Gilbert, catching my gaze, gave a flustered explanation.

“This patient has a comminuted femoral fracture. He fell during the recovery work at the mine this morning and his thigh bone shattered into multiple fragments.”

“My goodness…”

Gasps rose from the monks watching nearby.

This was an almost impossible task. He had matched the fragmented bone pieces perfectly using only touch, since he could not see inside.

It was genius level work.

“See. Their reactions tell me everything.”

One man treated five easier patients. The other treated one nearly impossible case.

Even so, the physicians refused to accept my decision.

“T, this cannot be. Madam, this is fraud. How could anyone treat a comminuted fracture. Even if so, the state of our patients is far superior…”

“You chose only conscious, stable patients from the start. What state are you even talking about.”

“But still!!”

“I do not need someone who can do what anyone can do. I want the most skilled physician, not the one with the highest status.”

“Unbelievable. Gilbert, you wretch, declare right now that you refuse the position!”

They were not refusing out of pride alone.

A commoner had smashed the wall they had built their whole lives.

And climbed above their heads.

‘Serves you right.’

I sneered inside. Still, I added lightly, pretending to be generous.

“Do not worry. Anyone more skilled is welcome to challenge him. I will replace my physician whenever a superior doctor appears.”

I looked at Gilbert as if asking whether he agreed.

He let out a long breath.

“I truly lack confidence.”

Then he grinned.

“I lack confidence in losing.”

“How dare a lowborn man…”

“Perhaps I was too honest in front of physicians whose skills are lacking?”

“You insolent…!”

Gilbert’s eyes were nothing like before.

Sneering, teasing the physicians, then suddenly lifting his gaze to me.

There was an old saying. Feed a starving dog and it becomes a loyal hunting hound.

Gilbert had starved for recognition.

Though he had great skill, he lived in a world where commoners could not spread their wings.

He had been angry, frustrated, and eventually resigned.

I gave him the one thing he had longed for more than anything. Recognition.

So Gilbert would now become a loyal hound. Loyal only to me.

I knew this well. Edwin had once raised me the very same way.

“I will devote my life to you, Madam.”

Gilbert bowed his head without hesitation.

I looked down at him in deep satisfaction.

I had gained an excellent hunting dog.

* * *

Naturally, although I was satisfied, the physicians’ suffering was far from over.

“Baron.”

“Yes, Madam.”

“Now that I think about it. These physicians ran off with the advance payments I gave them, right. What is the usual punishment for that.”

“That falls under unlawful receipt. According to Lombard law, a monetary penalty is appropriate.”

“You are not suggesting that is all, right.”

“O, of course not.”

When I narrowed my eyes, the baron quickly continued.

“Unlawful receipt is often habitual, so I recommend a full investigation to determine whether similar misconduct occurred in the past.”

“I cannot ignore your wise advice, Baron. Then that is what we will do.”

“…!”

The enraged physicians suddenly found their feet on fire.